Overview
The New Home Buyer Protection Act requires that all residential builders in Alberta hold a valid Alberta builder licence and obtain warranty coverage on all proposed new homes in order to apply for building permits.
To apply for a builder’s licence and register new homes, builders must request access to the Residential Protection Program’s builder’s portal.
The builder’s portal contains tools for completing and updating the builder’s profile, applying for builder licences, registering new homes, entering commencement dates, and downloading Registrar’s Certificates.
The builder’s portal should be accessed from a computer connected to the Internet. While the portal will work on some tablets, it is not meant for use on mobile devices such as smartphones. The portal is a web-based application best viewed in Google Chrome.
Information entered in the builder’s portal is used to populate the builder registry and property registry.
The builder registry provides the names and contact information of licensed builders, as well as their licence status and construction activity.
The property registry contains information on the location, builder, and warranty provider of registered new homes, as well as their warranty coverage status.
Register for the portal
Step 1. Sign up for access
To become a licensed builder in Alberta, you first need to create a builder account on the New Home Buyer Protection System's Builder's Portal. You may already have an account if you registered homes or applied for authorizations previously. If you do not have an existing account, please complete the New Home Buyer Protection System Access Request form.
Completed applications are processed within 5 business days.
Step 2. Read the manual
Read the Residential Builder User Manual for NHBPS on how to use the portal.
The user manual has information on the registration process, including step-by-step instructions on how to:
- apply for a builder licence
- register buildings / properties
- manage payments
- print Registrar’s certificates
- enter commencement dates
Step 3. Verify information and start
Once you have been granted access, log in to the Builder's Portal.
The first user from your company will become your account administrator.
Verify the information in your organization's profile is correct and complete. Account administrators may register buildings and properties and can update your business’s builder profile.
Contact
Connect with the Residential Protection Program:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Toll free: 1-866-421-6929 (within Canada)
Email: [email protected]